Who is Kenny Rogers? | Kenny Rogers Biography and Wiki

Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is well known for his hit song “The Gambler”. He was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Though had been most successful with country audiences.

Rogers charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres, topped the country and pop album charts for more than two hundred weeks within the US alone, and sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Kenny Rogers Age At Death and Death Cause

Kenny Rogers was born on August 21, 1938, in Houston Texas and died on March 20, 2020, at the age of 81. He died peacefully at home from natural causes under clinical care and surrounded by his family,” a representative for the singer revealed in a statement that due to the national COVID-19 emergency, the family is planning a small private service first at this time, then will schedule a public memorial for a later date.

Kenny Rodger’s death has come only two years after his retirement. He retired in April 2018, shortly before he was to spend a few months finishing out the tour after a break, he announced that he was having to call off the remaining dates including a planned appearance at the Stagecoach Festival in California, due to unspecified “health challenges.” “I didn’t want to take forever to retire,” Rogers said his April 2018 statement.

He further continued, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years on ‘The Gambler’s Last Deal’ tour. I could never properly thank them for the encouragement and support they’ve given me throughout my career and the happiness I’ve experienced as a result of that.”

Kenny Rogers Family

Kenny Rogers was born to Lucille Lois (1910–1991), a nurse’s assistant, and Edward Floyd Rogers (1904–1975), a carpenter. He was born the 4th of eight children and is of Irish and Native American ancestry.

Kenny Rogers Marriages | Kenny Rogers Wife

Kenny has married five times with each marriage lasting longer than the previous one. He had five children. He first married his first wife Janice Gordon on May 15, 1958; they got divorced in April 1960 with one child. Rogers married Jean Rogers, his second wife in October 1960 and divorced her in 1963. He married his third wife Margo Anderson in October 1964 and divorced her in 1976 with one child. He finally married Marianne Gordon on October 1, 1977, and divorced her in 1993 with one child and finally, he married Wanda Miller in 1997.

Kenny Rogers Wife | Wanda Rogers

Wanda Miller Rogers was Kenny’s fifth wife and the mother of his twin boys Justin and Jordan. The couple’s age difference was the center of media attention for quite a long time. They had an age gap difference of 28 years, Wanda’s parents are actually younger than Kenny Rogers. Actually, it wasn’t so easy for the two when they announced the news, her parents were against the relationship. The couple met in the ’90s while Wanda was working at a restaurant in Atlanta.

Kenny was there to meet a blind date, but he ended up falling for Wanda! He called the restaurant and asked about her a few days later. Wanda actually thought her co-workers were playing a trick on her, but she reluctantly called him back and they hooked up to begin a romance that would last forever. They exchanged their vows in 1997.

Kenny Rogers Children | Kenny Rogers Kids Ages

The Gambler singer, Kenny Rogers has left behind five children namely, Christopher Cody Rogers About 38 years (1982), Jordan Edward Rogers 15 years (2004), Justin Charles Rogers 15 years (2004), Kenny Rogers Jr., and Carole Rogers 61 years (15 September 1958)

Kenny Rogers Daughter | Carole Rogers

Carole Rogers, who is now 61 years old, is Kenny’s daughter with first wife Janice Gordon. According to reliable sources, Kenny did not have a good relationship with his first child, Carole. Rumors have it that after Rogers and Janice tied the knot, their union faced challenges which made Janice’s parents believe he was going to ruin her life.

Due to family pressure, things didn’t work out between them and they opted for a divorce. Kenny was forced to make a promise to his ex-wife and her parents that he would have no contact with his daughter.

In an interview, he stated, “That was my promise to them, that I would be her father, but he (his ex-wife’s second husband) would be her Dad, and I don’t want to disrupt that. He stepped in at a time that was really awkward for all of us, and he became her Dad, and I love him for that. He was a good guy.”

Kenny Rogers Twins

Rogers had identical twin boys with his fifth wife Wanda Miller. Justin and Jordan were born on July 6, 2004, in Atlanta, Georgia.  As of 2019, the twins are 15 years old. At birth, Justin Charles weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and Jordan Edward weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Rogers was 65-years-old when the babies were born! Kenny Rogers included both boys in his 2016, The Gambler’s Last Deal tour, in order to create more memories with them.

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

Kenny and Dolly’s friendship began way back in the 1970s when both were in the early days of their careers. It was then that Kenny appeared on Dolly’s syndicated TV show after the “9 to 5” artist was struggling to book talent for the program.

From there henceforth, they  became great friends and collaborated on several huge hits together, including “Islands in the Stream” and “You Can’t Make Old Friends.” Any country fan will tell you that Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were pure magic together. The two swore that their friendship never once turned romantic when questioned about their relationship.

According to what Dolly and Kenny told Today back in 2017, it doesn’t sound like they ever gave romance a shot over their nearly 50-year friendship. “First of all, she’s hard to look at for me,” Kenny joked on the morning show while Dolly sat beside him. In response, Dolly jokingly chimed in, “I’m not his type.”

Kenny on his side said: “I’m a believer that tension is better if you keep it than if you satisfy it. And then secondly, she said no to me.”

Even though both were happily married while working together, dating rumors followed the artists over the decades until after Kenny’s death. In an interview, Marianne the second wife of the fallen icon revealed that all the romance rumors didn’t bother her at all while she was married to the country artist.

Kenny Rogers Documentary | Biography: Kenny Rogers

Country superstar, Kenny Rogers is now the subject of a two-hour documentary on A&E titled “Biography: Kenny Rogers,” which was filmed prior to his death. The documentary special is part of a series of programs on country legends.

The special will explore Kenny’s rise to stardom, as well as feature footage from his 2017 goodbye performances and interviews with those who knew him best, including Dolly Parton. His sister Sandy Rogers took part in the making of the Kenny Rogers Documentary. The Doc aired on April 13 at 9 p.m. EST on A&E.

Kenny Rogers Facts and Body Measurements

Here are some interesting facts you don’t want to miss about Kenny Rogers

♦ Full Name: Kenny Rogers
♦ Age at Death, How Old?: 81, March 20, 2020
♦ Date of Birth: August 21, 1938
♦ Place of Birth:  Houston Texas

♦ Education‎: Graduate, Rogers attended Wharton Elementary School
♦ Birthday:21st August
♦ Nationality: American
♦ Father’s Name: Edward Floyd Rogers (1904–1975)

♦ Mother’s Name: Lucille Lois (1910–1991)
♦ Married?: Married to Wanda Rogers
♦ Children/ Kids: Five
♦ Height/ How tall?: 5 feet 9 inches

♦ Weight: Updating
♦ Profession: Country Music Singer
♦ Net worth: $250 million.

Kenny Rogers County Music Singer

Rogers was a country music singer who dominated the pop and country charts in the 1970s. He was one of the progenitors of country-pop crossover at the superstar level. His music journey began back in the 1950s, Rogers moved from teenage rock’n’roll through the psychedelic rock to become a country-pop crossover artist of the 1970s and 1980s. He had a minor solo hit in 1957 called “That Crazy Feeling”. After-sales slowed down, He joined a jazz group called The Bobby Doyle Three, but they disbanded in 1965, and 1966.

He went on to form The First Edition in 1967 with fellow members Mike Settle, Terry Williams, and Thelma Camacho left the group later joined by Kin Vassy. They released the pop and country charts, including “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)”, “But You Know I Love You”, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town”, “Tell It All, Brother”, “Reuben James”, and “Something’s Burning”. but the band disbanded in 1976.

He pursued a solo career onwards, releasing his first outing Love Lifted Me. The album charted and two singles, “Love Lifted Me” and “While The Feeling’s Good”, were minor hits. The song “Runaway Girl” was featured in the motion picture Trackdown. This was followed by a number of successful hit songs listed below this post. All through his career, he got to release 39 studio albums and 80 singles.

21 of his album ranked Number One on the country music charts. His longest-lasting number ones on that chart include “The Gambler” and “Coward of the County”, at three weeks each. Two of his Number One country hits; “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” a duet ft Dolly Parton, also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 the former spending six weeks at the top, making it his longest-running #1 single on all Billboard charts.

Kenny Rogers Acting

Rogers is not only a great singer but also had success as an actor. His 1982 movie Six Pack, in which he played a race-car driver, profited at more than $20 million at the US box office. His made-for-TV movies such as The Gambler series, Christmas in America, and Coward of the County topped rating lists. He also worked as host & narrator for the A&E historical series The Real West.

Rogers appeared in a 2004 episode of Reno 911! as himself being subjected to incompetent security provided by starstruck sheriff’s deputies to comical effect. In October 2012, Rogers released a book Luck or Something Like It: A Memoir about his ups and downs in his musical career. With Mike Blakely, he has written a novel, What Are the Chances, that was released September 1, 2013.

Kenny Rogers Author

Rogers says that photography was once his obsession before it morphed into a passion. He has authored the photo books Kenny Rogers’ America (1986) and Your Friends and Mine (1987).

Kenny Rogers Commercial

Rogers was featured as himself in a 2014 GEICO commercial, singing part of his song “The Gambler” a cappella while acting as the dealer in a card game.

Kenny Rogers Songs

♦ Islands in the Stream
♦ You and I
♦ I Will Always Love You
♦ If I Ever Fall in Love Again
♦ Mary, Did You Know

♦ You Can’t Make Old Friends
♦ Just Dropped In
♦ Write Your Name
♦ Handprints on the Wall

♦ Blaze of Glory
♦ Evening Star
♦ Love the World Away
♦ The Vows Go Unbroken

♦ Sweet Music Man
♦ The Greatest Gift of All
♦ Buy Me a Rose
♦ Twenty Years Ago

♦ Let It Be Me
♦ Christmas Without You
♦ Real Love
♦ I Can’t Unlove You
♦ I Don’t Need You

♦ Morning Desire
♦ Reuben James
♦ Every Time Two Fools Collide
♦ If I Knew Then What I Know Now
♦ If You Want to Find Love

♦ Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight
♦ A Love Song
♦ There You Go Again
♦ Scarlet Fever
♦ cYou Light Up My Life

Kenny Rogers Movies

♦ Kenny Rogers as The Gambler: The Adventure Continues
♦  Wild Horses
♦  Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues
♦ Christmas in America

♦ The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw
♦ Rio Diablo
♦ Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
♦ The Gambler V: Playing for Keeps

♦  MacShane: Winner Takes All
♦ MacShane: The Final Roll of the Dice
♦  Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story

♦ Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story
♦  Touched by an Angel
♦ Longshot Pilot
♦  How I Met Your Mother

Kenny Rogers Net Worth

At the time of his death, Kenny Rogers had an estimated net worth of $250 million according to our reliable sources. He made most of his wealth from his singing, acting, and entrepreneurial career. Along with the money, Kenny has left behind assets and businesses which are still under review.

As an entrepreneur, he worked in alliance with former Kentucky Fried Chicken CEO John Y. Brown Jr. in 1991 to start up the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters. His restaurant was featured in an episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld called “The Chicken Roaster”. On November 27, 1997, broadcast of Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Rogers could not pick his chicken out in a taste test, claiming he preferred “greasy burgers”.

Kenny Rogers Awards and Achievements

He is undoubtedly a fine  country music singer as outlined in the following awards and accomplishments

♦ 2017 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee
♦ 2013 Country Music Association Awards Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
♦ 2013 Country Music Hall of Fame Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
♦ 2010 American Eagle Award American Eagle Award

♦ 2009 ACM Honors Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
♦ 2007 ASCAP Golden Note Award
♦ 2007 CMT Music Awards Album of the Year — Water & Bridges
♦ 2005 CMT Music Awards Favorite All-Time Country Duet — “Islands In the Stream” (w/ Dolly Parton)

♦ 2004 CMT’s 100 Greatest Cheating Songs “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town”
♦ 2003 International Entertainment Buyers Association Lifetime Achievement Award
♦ 2003 CMT’s 100 Greatest Country Songs “The Gambler” — No. 26
♦ 2002 CMT’s 40 Greatest Men of Country Music Ranking — No. 19

♦ 2000 TNN Music Awards Career Achievement Award
♦ 1999 BBC’s Greatest Country Singer Ranking — No. 2
♦ 1988 Grammy Awards Best Duo Country Vocal Performance — “Make No Mistake She’s Mine” (w/ Ronnie Milsap)

♦ 1986 USA Today Favorite Singer of All Time
♦ 1985 American Music Awards Favorite Country Album — Eyes That See In the Dark
♦ 1985 American Music Awards Favorite Male Country Artist
♦ 1983 Academy of Country Music Awards Single of the Year — “Islands In the Stream” (w/ Dolly Parton)
♦ 1983 Academy of Country Music Awards

Frequently Asked Questions About Kenny Rogers

Who is Kenny Rogers?

Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is well known for his hit song The Gambler. He was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame Though had been most successful with country audiences, Rogers charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres.

What age did Kenny Rogers die?

Kenny died at the age of 81, he died on March 20, 2020, in his home at 10:45 pm.

What is Kenny Rogers’s illness?

Kenny died peacefully from natural causes, he had no health issues.

Did Kenny Rogers pass away?

Family members confirmed that country music singer, Kenny died at his home on 20th March 2020.

Is Kenny Rogers still touring?

Rogers won’t be able to go on tour as he is dead, his death comes only two years after his retirement.

How tall is Kenny Rogers?

He stood at a height of 5 feet 9 inches.

Who is Kenny Rogers’s brother?

His brothers are Lelan Rogers & Roy Rogers, and sister Sandy Rogers. His brother Lelan Rogers, died in 2002. He was a record producer and record company executive.

Who did Kenny Rogers marry?

Kenny, throughout his life, has married five times. He married Janice Gordon on May 15, 1958; Jean Rogers in October 1960; Margo Anderson in October 1964; Marianne Gordon on October 1, 1977, and finally Wanda Rogers in 1999 whom he stayed with until his death.

Who is Kenny Rogers, daughter?

Kenny had a daughter called Carole Rogers who prefers to live a quiet life away from the media despite the fact that she is a celebrity’s kid.

Does Kenny Rogers have twins?

Kenny sired identical twins Jordan Edward Rogers, Justin Charles Rogers with his fifth wife, Wanda Miller. The twins were born on July 7th, 2004, in Atlanta. Justin Charles weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and his twin brother, Jordan Edward, weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces.

How many children does Kenny Rogers have?

Kenny Rogers left behind a rich legacy and five children in total who have come of age. His children include;Christopher Cody Rogers About 38 years (1982), Jordan Edward Rogers 15 years (2004), Justin Charles Rogers 15 years (2004), Kenny Rogers Jr., and Carole Rogers 61 years (15 September 1958)

How much is Kenny Rogers worth?

Kenny has an approximate net worth of $250 million. This amount has been accrued from his music career

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Happy Birthday @reallyndacarter! Here’s a clip from her 1980 TV special: www.bit.ly/KennyLynda

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